To the first, a cursory examination of the history of the United States necessarily leads to the conclusion that the full engagement of state’s rights compells disunion.

Let us turn back the hands of time to the concept of “nullification”, first exemplified in the Virgina Resolutions of 1798. These were passed by the state legislature in response the the heinous Alien and Sedition Acts enacted by the U.S. congress earlier that year. These state resolutions came at the behest of Thomas Jefferson who found, and rightly so, the Alien and Sedition Acts repugnant and unconstitutional. The virtue of these state resolutions notwithstanding, the concept is here put forward that a state has a right to nullify an act of congress which it (the state) finds unconstitutional. This is a concept which necessarily lends itself to extension into any reason whatever. This is the defining constitutional issue that would endure for nearly 65 years. Move forward to the “Tariff of Abomonations” in 1828, again with the Tariff of 1832, and yet again in 1860, culminating in the outbreak of civil war over the issues of slavery and the southern perception, and reality, of economic supression by the north.

How can it be that engaging state’s rights leads me to such a conclusion? Simply put, the self interests of, and among, the states. If you think it can never happen in the modern era, you are sorely mistaken. The states must be subordinate to the U.S. Constitution. A decision arrived at by smarter men than you or I with the adoption of the 14th Amendment. (see also; Sectionalism, Secession)

On the second point of “orginal intent”, I would like to point out that it is the constant state of change with which the human condition relentlessly moves that transforms this idea into the “spirit of the law.” Law, by the way, is a philosophical concept first and foremost.

Put another way, original intent becomes irrelevant, in practice, in many cases as societies change. Our founding fathers could not have been expected to anticipate every issue that would arrise for eternity. Thus, we were given a blueprint, and a damn fine one, to guide us through. They bequeathed to us their wisdom in other forms as well. It is there for all to see. It is this idea that forms the basis of certain commentators exclaimations that Republicans must “evolve.” (see also; Strict Construction)

Why are you applying blanket statements to everyone? Aren’t these exactly the kind of prejudicial statements that you might argue against in other situations? And now here you are, doing it yourself.

You have to understand that the “left” and “right” arguments… the “Conservative vs. Liberal” rhetoric is all CRAP. It’s designed to keep us divided and conquered, making us ever dependent on the mainstream media to tell us who it’s ok to vote for, keeping us marginalized so that a true revolution and evolution of ideas takes place. But let me tell ya, at this juncture in American history, it doesn’t get much more “revolutionary” than to return to the constitutional form of government we once enjoyed – the one that valued property and personal rights and liberties.

Think about it. So-called “progressives” are anything BUT anymore. The reality of our human station is that governments are instituted among men because we still have yet to evolve beyond the capacity for brutality and/or evil toward one ourselves and one another. The founding fathers of the United States, following the writings and examples of literally thousands of years of human civilization figured out that in the absence of utopia, a constitutional republic was our best hope for lasting peace and stability. They designed the system with checks and balances and states rights in mind. In fact, by the original definition of “citizen”, we were all citizens of the STATE we were from, NOT the United States! The 14th Amendment changed that. The same time they “freed” the slaves, ironically they made us all subservient to the FEDERAL government by making us, then, citizens of the United States instead of Indiana or California or wherever it is you’re from. This has vast implication I don’t really have time to go into, but I advise you to do a Google search for “Constitution Class” and watch some videos about the original intent of the Constitution and learn what your rights actually are and how they are violated through COLLECTIVISM disguised as “progressivism”.

On abortion, on ALL “morality” issues really, all Ron Paul is saying is LET THE STATES DECIDE! What’s so damned bad about that? You’ve been brought up, like I was in the 1990s, to believe that abortion is some kind of “right”, but if you really consider it rationally, without emotion, you’ll see that it’s inconsistent with our laws to federally MANDATE that states allow abortions to take place in their jurisdiction. While I could sit here and argue that Roe v. Wade decision was really baseless (read the basis for the decision yourself sometime and you’ll see what I mean), I could argue about when life begins and I could say that to allow abortion is to allow women to skirt the consequences of their own actions and insofar as pregnancy IS the consequence of an action presumably (in all cases except rape) that is FREELY ENGAGED IN, that no inherent “rights” have been violated by a state choosing to disallow abortion. But I won’t make any of these arguments… I’ll just tell you Ron Paul’s stance and it’s pretty simple: overturn the awful Roe decision and allow states to exercise their rights. Why do you think the man is not calling for a constitutional ban on abortion? Because his libertarian views preclude him from IMPOSING his moral will on the entire country. Not a bad idea, huh!?

Birthright citizenship for illegal aliens… Think about it… Why are we giving birthright citizenship to the baby of an illegal alien who will then, through loopholes in the immigration law, be REWARDED for BREAKING the law!? She’ll then be allowed to immigrate as the mother of an “American”. It’s NONSENSE! All that says is, hey, got a bun in the oven? Come to America, we’ll give you free citizenship and Social Security and welfare benefits on the back of working Americans.

Your objections to this idea are completely unfounded. You give no logical argument against either one. You simply call them “crazy” and leave it at that. This tells me that for all your grandstanding, you really have no intellect to speak of. You are a follower of a trend. All your friends around think like you, so you conform without thinking. Congratulations.

Bottom line, I advise you to wise up and find out what you’re bashing before you open your mouth from now on. Ron Paul is the best hope we’ve got for actual and true FREEDOM. Of course freedom means not having the federal government poking its nose in everyone’s business, including our own state laws. Take for instance the times when the feds come in behind a state like California of Colorado and start arresting medical marijuana users even though the state has allowed it. Ron Paul would call for an END to such federal intervention – which really amounts to an infringement on our rights.

most conservatives (and if my mother is any inclination, religious freaks) do not step outside their “safety zone”. that zone is dictated by things they can see (i.e. the bible) to explain things they cannot see (i.e. the wind). this has been going on for some 10,000 years of human history.

growth, evolution, acceptance, is all outside their safety zone and pretty damn scary. they want a candidate that will make the bad people go away. they like the biblical “straight and narrow” rather than the “broad and hellbound.”

it was amazing that Mitt was such a hit with the Value Voters because there is no other religion on earth that can be disproved as easily as Mormonism – historically, theoretically, logically, archaeologically, and scientifically.

it shows how those that don’t want to mentally grow or think, will do anything and believe ANYONE, as long as they can keep the blanket over their heads and enjoy the peace that comes knowing that a 1/4 inch piece of woven fabric will keep the evil monsters under the bed from attacking you.

funny thing… both Jesus and Paul stated that the world is wicked and we need to learn to live a holy life separate from it and whatever government would exist (at that time it was the Roman rule). neither said anything about changing the world, and both were against ideas like joining with them or running for office… but i guess the value voters never read the bible past the “homosexuality” part.

Anyway, good job Andrew.